Books

Philadelphia: Carey & Hart, 1844. First American edition. Small 8vo, illustrated with 8 plates after the originals by John Leech, a hand-colored frontispiece of Mr. Fezziwig's ball, three colored plates that are lithographed by P. S. Duval and four black-and-white, original brown cloth, decorated and lettered in blind and gilt on the front cover and spine, and in blind only on rear cover, by J. C. Russell, Binder. First American edition of Dickens' most popular work. replicating the first English edition, the American edition was printed by "C. Sherman, printer", as noted on the verso of the title-page. Carey & Hart's American publication was a piracy, published in blatant disregard to Dickens' impassioned plea for international copyright protection during his tour of America in 1843. The present copy is in the rare gift binding, stamped on the front cover with the binder's name, unlike in the ordinary bindings. Edgar & Vail, p. 21; Gimbel a80; McGuire Collection, 31; Wilkins, p.…

A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens. It was first published by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy, greedy, and cold-hearted old miser who is transformed into a kind, generous man after visits by the ghost of his former business partner and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

One indication of the first edition of 'A Christmas Carol' is the presence of red and blue title page, a red cloth binding, and yellow endpapers. Additionally, on the verso of the title page, it should be dated 1843 and state 'London: Published for the Author by Chapman & Hall, 186 Strand.'